Art and Design Teacher Education

Aisling Rock

“Ignited Spirit” Series

Performance art is “about joy, about making something that is so full of kind of a wild joy that you really cannot put into words”- (Anderson, 1992).

I prioritize the process over the outcome, understanding that processes, like healing from trauma, are always changing. Performance art, for me, reflects this ongoing process, evolving dynamically in the present. Through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, and photography, I aim to empower individuals by creating culturally and personally resonant images. This culminates in a performance piece using natural materials, drawing from diverse cultural influences. By incorporating masks, I challenge traditional notions of identity, allowing performers to embrace freedom. Inspired by the harmony between nature and technology, my work is influenced by locales like Ardnacrusha and the salmon’s life cycle. Central to my project is the symbolism of the nest and egg, symbolizing both fragility and protection. Through meticulous documentation, I explore the intricacies of women’s life cycles, symbolized by eggs marked with dates to illustrate interference, echoing the salmon’s struggle. This juxtaposition of organic forms with manufactured imprints highlights the complex relationship between women and nature.

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